The Walt Whitman Archive
Published Works
Books by Whitman
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [begin page 283] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOT THE PILOT.
NOT the pilot has charged himself to bring his ship
into port, though beaten back, and many times
baffled;
into port, though beaten back, and many times
baffled;
Not the path-finder, penetrating inland, weary and
long,
long,
By deserts parch'd, snows-chill'd, rivers wet, perseveres
till he reaches his destination,
till he reaches his destination,
More than I have charged myself, heeded or unheeded,
to compose a free march for These States,
to compose a free march for These States,
To be exhilarating music to them—a battle-call, rousing
to arms, if need be—years, centuries hence.
to arms, if need be—years, centuries hence.